The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28
THE GEORGI. CONyiCrs.
Gov. Gordon's Atiituse Toward tho
Convict Lease system.


THE GEORGIA CONviCrS.
Gov. Gordon's Atii,uss Toward tho
Convict Lease system.
Atlanta Epscial to the Globe. Democrat.
Gov. Jonn b. Gordon today gave
the Globe Democrat his views upon
tho convict lease system. He spoke
with elaboration, as the result OF
months OF experience in trying TO
remedy the wrongs perpetrated upon
the prisoners. He declared his CON
viclion that the system was funda-
mentally wrong, and condemned il in
the strongest language. To the re-
quest for an expression OF his opin-
ion OF the system the Governor said:
You may say in the FIRST place
that | am entirely opposed to the
whole sysl em; that the difficulties OF
getting rid OF it are numerous and
by many believed to be insurmount.
able for the present; but that in my
opinion the State ought TO rid itself
oil IL, aud will do 80 as soon as some
other system can be devised. The
difficulties in the way are that the
contract was made by the State for
twenty years, aud parties have vested
rights which it seems difficult for the
State TO break unless through some
legal forfeiture"
The Governor stopped moment,
as IL TO weigh his words, and then
said, with good deal OF significance
in his manner:
IL am at this time engaged in q
careful and vigorous investigation,
which may lead TO forfeiture"
ANOTHER DIFFICULTY.
"The second great difficulty" con-
tinued the Governor. "is TO know
what TO do with the convic,s in case
OF forfeiture. Tho old system OF
keeping them imprisoned within four
walls, with such employment as could
be furnished, was very expensive,
aud with the large numbers now on
hsnd !. would be a severe tax upen
the State and upon the honest labor
OF the State. So there are in the
way two very serious difficulties with
which TIE Legislature is struggling
now
what Is your idea, Governor, Of
the best substitute for the present
system p was asked.
THE proposition TO take charge
Of these conyicts and work them by
the State upon the public highways
is very popular one, aud might be
inaugurated possibly but for the legal
difficulty FIRST referred TO. IL is not
certain that work uTon the high.
ways, which. would, OF course, be ex-
pensiyo 20 the State, would be ad.
vocated by the Legislature, but the
probabilities are that some system
which would embrace the improve
mcnt Of tho public roads would be
devised. Another nlan which has
impressed me As worthy Of fair test
Is tho working o. them on farms and
making these farms experimental Tor
the purpose OF testing various sys'
tens aud profits 10 different lines Of
culture aud products. or all the
plans suggested, | should prefer thi,
latter Tor at least the younger anC
more delicate prisoners.
THE SYSTEM.
"You have seen considerable Of
the lease system, Governor
, I've never had anything 10 d,
! with the immediate management anC
: control Of conyicts under IL. but
/. have seen enough Of It's workings Il
satisfy me, aud since | have beer
h Governor have giycbl t a good deA
4 OF attention aud thought
/. You think the system Is object
/. ionable beyond remedy
/. There Is a fundamental objection
: which | consider fatal 10 the who'll
/. system; that is this, Il PAGES Gu
!. pidity in conflict with humanity
4 With all the care that the State cal
y possibly give; all the restraints tina
! the law can impose; all the watch
n iulncss OF oven humane lessccs, IL /
Q impossible TO prevent wrong an,
. cruelty"
i The Governor said this with
n great deal OF oarncstGcss lie con
4 tiuucd III am aware that cruclt
Il eau not be always prevented even i
n public institutions MANAGED aud Iii
n rcctod by officers Of the State. Their
}. are many instances which might b
n cited OF this 10 almost every Stat
!. In the Union, Nor can wrong at IN
Il hands Of employers always be ayoide
!. aud injustice TO employees be Away
,. prevented in any Of the establish
n ments, manufacturing, mining o
u otherwise, where forced labor is en-
a ploycd. But in addition to thes
4, difficulties which appcrtain TO bot
10 government management and prone
" control Of free labor there is attache
10 thi, system the great considers
ton | have already mentioned, tbs
the interest Of tho lessee is 10 cor
tlict with the proper treatment {
D those who have not the power /
= abandon the employment nor pretc,
j. themselves